Word Origin & History

behave early 15c., from be- intensive prefix + have; the sense is "to have or bear (oneself) in a particular way, comport" (cf. Ger. sich behaben, Fr. se porter). Cognate O.E. compound behabban meant "to contain," though the modern sense of behave could have evolved from behabban via a notion of "self-restraint."

Example Sentences for behave

It was childish of her to behave so spitefully, but what could he do except repay her in kind?

I hope to have one that will show me how a husband ought to behave himself.

He had never read How to behave in a Palace, but, though much amazed, he did not feel at all shy.

They assume that every man is as able as every other to behave as they command.

You may go to either of these Places, and then we shall have you more under our Eye, and shall see how you behave.

Hamilton had behaved to him as no brother officer should behave.

Shall we say, then, that they who behave themselves ill know how they ought to behave themselves?

Lawyers, on the contrary, are expected to behave like any other gentlemen; so also physicians.

Most sensible and humane people would, I hope, reply flatly that honorable men do not behave dishonorably, even to dogs.